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14 May 2023 - 4 min read

Getting Around Seoul, South Korea

More than 10 million people live in Seoul, making it one of the world’s largest and busiest cities. Because of this, getting around Seoul can be a daunting task. That’s why it’s crucial to be familiar with the city’s public transit options, given its status as South Korea’s capital.

There are subway trains (Seoul Metro), buses, taxis, and bicycles for getting around Seoul. Additionally, strolling around on foot is a great way to soak up the local atmosphere.

Transportation Recommendations in Seoul

Source: Shutterstock @sayan+uranan

Seoul, a bustling and vibrant city, offers numerous historical sites to explore and ample opportunities to immerse oneself in Korean culture within a modern urban setting. Fortunately, Seoul offers various modes of transportation to help visitors navigate the city with ease. From the efficient subway system to the iconic yellow taxis, visitors have plenty of options to choose from.

1. Seoul Metro

Source: Shutterstock

General information: There are two parts to the Seoul Metro system: the elevated and the underground. Yet, the majority of downtown stops are located below ground.

Pros: The announcements are read aloud in two languages: Korean and English. Japanese and Chinese announcements are available specifically at the main station. Additionally, the Seoul subway also has a unique feature: upon arrival, while passing another train, and while at a station, it plays distinctly different music. Traditional Korean music can frequently be heard throughout the entire journey.

Cons: One drawback is that many Seoul Metro stations are not accessible to those using wheelchairs. This is due to the prevalence of escalators and stairs at the building’s entry/exit points. While not every station has elevators, some do.

Fares: The cost of a trip on the Seoul Metro is calculated based on the number of kilometers traveled. Children under 13 pay KRW 450 for the basic fare, while adults pay KRW 1350. If you take the train from the airport, expect to pay a higher fare.

Service hours: The Seoul subway operates from 5:30 am to midnight.

Tips: Download the KakaoMetro app, which is a useful tool for navigating the subway system. Pay attention to the screen inside the train that shows the station name and indicates which door will open. Make sure to remember the platform where you need to alight. Additionally, it is advisable to obtain a T-Money card with a minimum deposit of KRW 500.

2. Bus

Source: Unsplash

General information: In Seoul, the bus is the most commonly used mode of public transit. The city’s blue and green bus lines can be used to go around. Enter the bus through the front entrance and leave by the center or back.

Pros: You can go to many different places quickly and easily because many routes are available. In addition, the bus travels in a separate lane from the general traffic. Hence, the bus can maintain its rapid pace even in heavy traffic. Disabled passengers can also use a floor that automatically ups and downs to cross the height gap between the bus stop and the vehicle.

Cons: Most of the information is written entirely in Korean characters.

Fares: South Korean buses, particularly those operating in Seoul, charge different prices depending on their type. Firstly, long-distance trips within Seoul on the blue bus cost KRW 1,300. Then, for KRW 1,300, you can take the green bus directly from the blue bus stop to the Metro station. Meanwhile, the base fee for a ride on a yellow bus within the city center is KRW 1,200, while the base fare for a ride on a red bus for swift interstate travel is KRW 2,400. There are now N-marked night buses available for KRW 2,250.

Service hours: The service hours for each bus color are 5:00 a.m. to midnight. Then, starting at midnight, night buses will operate until 5:00 a.m.

Tips: The front seats are reserved for pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. You shouldn’t put your items on the floor or seat to prevent pickpocketing. You can use the CityMapper app on your phone to plan your route.

Also read: Itinerary & Budget: 14D 13N in South Korea

3. Taxi

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General information: There are four different kinds of taxis in Seoul: normal taxis (sedans, maximum 4 people), luxury taxis (black sedans with yellow gold stripes), jumbo taxis (capable of loading 8 people), and international taxis (for foreign tourists with the sign “International”).

Pros: Taking a taxi is recommended for long distances or when you have a lot of luggage. There are also taxis marked with a “Free Interpretation” sign that offer interpretation services for English-speaking passengers.

Cons: If you take a taxi in Korea, you must know how to write your destination in Korean characters. Given that several locations, including Sinchon Station and Sincheon, share similar names, it can be confusing. In addition, there are no international online transportation services in Korea.

Fares: Taxi fares in South Korea start at KRW 3,300 for 2 km and increase by KRW 100 every 0.8 km. From midnight to 4 am, the base fare is KRW 3,800 and rises 20% for every 0.2 km traveled. But, no matter how late or early in the day it is, the fare for a luxury or jumbo taxi remains the same. The first 3 km of the taxi ride cost KRW 5,000. After that, the fare increased by KRW 200 for every 164 m traveled. The fare for an international taxi was KRW 3,900 for the initial 2 km, plus KRW 20 for each additional 142 m.

Service hours: Taxis are available around the clock from tourist hotspots, transportation hubs, and the side of the road.

4. Bicycle

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General information: There are designated bike paths around Seoul, including along the Han River. Bicycles available for rent are usually either green or white and include a front basket.

Pros: The pros include the availability of both traditional pedal bikes and more modern electric bicycles. Bike Seoul is where you want to go if you want to rent a standard bicycle, whereas Elecle is where you want to go if you want to rent an electric bicycle.System availability ensures that borrowing can occur at any time, day or night.

Cons: Rental is simple, however, not every employee can speak English.

Rates: To ride for an hour will set you back KRW 1,000.

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